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Hi all
I know there is probably another thread hiding in here somewhere on this topic , but i thought id just start another myself.
Im looking at buy a scope from America , is there any sites anyone would recommend or brands that are not aloud to sell internationally?
A Vortex scope is what im after but have heard that i may have issues getting one into NZ.
Thanks.
No problems getting scopes into NZ, it's the exporting thats usually a pain but Vortex aren't ITAR restricted so you are good
Liberty optics is probably best choice for Vortex scopes.
You may want to check what deals you can find locally as a lot of NZ places have such sharp prices its hardly worth importing.
Leupold doesn't allow its products to be sold internationally from a US vendor, so most websites wont ship them, some will but they aren't supposed to. Think Nightforce is similar, but mostly everything else is able to be shipped overseas.
I believe Vortex doesn’t allow its products to be exported out of the US either. Saying this only because I tried.
No that's not correct all good with Vortex but saying that I always bring them out in my luggage. Try Sportoptics I just got a GenII with a 13% discount great price $2175 US. Your best bet is to find someone travelling and get them to bring it back.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyblown
@Dermastor, Sportoptics won’t allow selection of NZ as a shipping destination. And they say they don’t ship internationally in their T&C. I think we are talking about buying online, not suitcases. But I agree, if you do happen to have someone friendly who can do that, great.
Online, I tried to buy Vortex from Brownells and somewhere else can’t remember which one, and both companies emailed and said they were not allowed to export due to Vortex’s country restrictions.
If you go to the Brownells website as did about 30 secs ago, it will show you the restriction once you’ve added the product into your cart.
If someone else has a website that will go around this restrction that’s great, I am all ears, would love to know.
How does the NZ importer/distributor react when you send it back to them, or do you send it back to the States ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyblown
Dunno @Kiwi Greg, haven’t had to return anything. I believe, may be wrong here, that’s its a straight no questions asked replacement from the local distributor, even if your dog ate it, they’ll give you a new one. Burn it, run over it, drop it from the top of the Sky Tower. The wording of their warranty is incredibly generous and I have never come across a complaint that they haven’t honoured it. Always a first time though.
I did wonder if they would replace my rangefinder after I was witnessed dropping it in a flooding creek. But that was probably a bit of a long shot so I didn’t ask. Come summer when the water level is right down I am going to walk that creek bed all the way downstream and see if it got hung up on the lanyard somewhere. That would be an interesting test.
I brought a nightforce compact from euro optics. After a while a bit of crap starting floating around on the reticle. I sent it back to the states and they sent me a new one.
With the Kiwi dollar being so weak, it's hardly worth it sometimes. If you want to go down the Leupold track, I know of a certified Leupold retailer who is selling $300-400 below what the major sporting stores are selling them for. He has low overheads and isn't in it for the money.
PM if you'd like to go further with it.
Brownells wouldnt ship a vortex venom to me. Opticsplanet did it no worries. Opticszone also confirmed to me they would ship the venom. Asking the business you are buying from always helps.
Well that's very interesting @Towely, because Optics Planet didn't used to.
So I just tried, and the transaction went through to the credit card stage, so yeah, looks like they will.
But here's the rub.
The price.
Total cost, shipped for a Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44 Second Focal Plane EBR-4 MOA Reticle: USD 957.
That's NZD 1,443 at Google exchange rate, not what your credit card would charge you.
Reloaders price for the exact same scope: NZD 1,459.
No prizes for guessing where I'd buy it from. I assume looking at this that Vortex has put some kind of price protection in place to ensure that international sales are roughly equal to local sales? Because that didn't used to be the case. When I bought three new rifles all together in Aus I tried to source Vortex scopes from the US from reputable dealers as they were so much cheaper, but failed, and I tried pretty hard.
@scottyrees is worth following up because I vaguely remember something along the same lines.
The dollar has dropped which makes quite a differenceQuote:
Originally Posted by Flyblown
Also gst and ita charges on top of thatQuote:
Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg
Yes the credit card exchange rate fees etc can be easy to forget to factor in as well :oh noes:Quote:
Originally Posted by MSL
I'm talking about a kiwi retailer by the way. No need to look overseas.Quote:
Originally Posted by scottyrees
A NZ online retailer lists the Razor Gen II 4.5-27 at 4000NZD, typically they cost 2500USD in the states.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyblown
Converted makes it 3762NZD thats before GST and shipping.
Don't get me wrong almost every single scope I have bought in the last 5 years has been imported and I have saved a tonne but in the last year or so NZ retailers seem to have gotten far more competitive, so unless you get a killer deal or bring one back in luggage don't just assume that it's going to be cheaper.
Like everything it pays to do your home work.
Better yet keep a look out in the buy and sell section and let someone else take the hit for you.
Sorry yes im talking about getting one posted over not bringing back in luggage.
So im looking at buying a Vortex scope for half the price in the states , i maybe missing the fact i might get charged hefty gst or importation fees after purchase?
Am i wrong?
Is there any sites that anyone has bought off recently , Opticsplanet etc?
By the time you get postage customs fees and exchange rates you can double the US$ price.
Try theriflescopestore.com or libertyoptics.com or eurooptic.comQuote:
Originally Posted by Creep
What scope in particular are you looking at getting?
Can tell you if it's worth doing or not.
Vortex Diamondback 4-12 bdc
Im being a bit of a cheap arse seen as its $400 to buy in NZ , might buy something better if it works out cheaper buying from USA.
In this case you are in luck.
www.theopticzone.com has Vortex on sale at the moment, so with discount and shipping is 229USD, converted makes that 344NZD.
In reality the credit card will cost you a bit more, but should still be under 400NZD so no GST.
Were it not on sale you'd likely be in line for GST and would end up costing 460NZD by the time it landed here.
You can buy one locally for $469, so you are saving a bit in this case.